The deacon was told specialised equipment would have to be ordered in, there would have to be a new line, and there were problems getting access to the pole where the line was to be erected because the land, which is owned by Northumbrian Water, was locked.

He was also told the church would have to have a new number instead of getting the old one back.

He told me: “I have contacted you out of desperation and frustration. No one appears to be communicating internally, or externally, which is alarming for a company who are in the communication business.

“At present, we have about 150 local parishioners, and two schools, not mention the parents of these schools and the rest of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle who can’t communicate with the clergy in this parish in Bedlington.

“Both Fr Peter and I cannot understand how BT can treat its customers so poorly.

“Please, please, please, can you use your influence to rectify the plight we find ourselves in, which is not of our making.”